Over a period of 500 years viewpoints have changed. On Sunday, October 22 at 5 p.m. in the afternoon Roman Catholics and Lutherans in the Coastal Empire have the opportunity to gather together to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. This is not a celebration of we were right and you were wrong, but of celebrating the gospel message of God’s grace being proclaimed by Christians. It is a gathering of people to celebrate that we have all felt God’s grace in the midst of our living.

Certainly we Lutherans should celebrate our denominational birthday of 500 years, but it is also important for our witness to the communities around us that you participate in this gathering of Christians at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Savannah on October 22. Think of it this way, this is an opportunity to show the un-churched that regardless of our differences we can gather together and accept each other as Christians. This is a special opportunity and you need to make a special effort to be a part of this specific celebration.

There will also be a special opportunity on Sunday, October 15 at 3 p.m. at St. Peter the Apostle congregation on Wilmington Island, for the final discussion about the Reformation and the relationships between Lutherans and Roman Catholics in more recent times.

Rally Day is the beginning of the new Sunday School year! This year, we will have a continental breakfast followed by Sunday School Promotions on Sunday, August 6th at 9:45 a.m. We would love for you to come by and see what we have available for you! We will provide a Continental Breakfast including a breakfast casserole, coffee, tea, milk, juice, Danish, fruit, and donuts for you and your family. We invite you to come fellowship with us and we know you will get as excited as we are about what God has to teach us this new Sunday School year! Pastor Dave will commission Sunday School teachers at the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Looking forward to seeing you there! Thank you, The Christian Education Committee

During our 11:00 a.m. worship service, we will send our school children back to school with our blessings! Pastor Dave will offer a blessing on our children, teachers, school personnel, backpacks, briefcases, computer cases, etc.
A picnic/hotdog cookout for the entire congregation will follow the Sunday Service. Make plans to receive this special blessing to help start your school year off right!! Bring a friend!

Mighty Fortress This year’s Vacation Bible School will be from Monday, June 5th-Friday, June 9th, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The theme is “Mighty Fortress”. At Might Fortress, kids learn that God is their refuge and strength. Friends may fail them, but God promises to be their rock and their salvation — their fortress and sure defense. In Jesus, the victory is won! Children ages PreK through 5th and youth grades 6th-12th are invited for a week of spiritual, summer fun! Please contact Tricia Parrish at 912-713-5706 or 858-2093 if you have any questions, or would like to help in any way.

Everyone is invited to join with other Effingham churches to participate in the 138th annual Sunday School Convention at the Methodist Campground in Springfield. Line up is at 9:45am. Each church delegation walks in together as church names are called. You don’t have to be a Sunday School participant to attend. Zion has a long history of participating in this special event, but will also observe our regular Sunday morning schedule at Zion with Sunday School at 9:45am and worship at 11:00 am for those not attending convention. If you go, please take a covered dish to share for the covered dish meal following worship. Once again, we’ll share a meal with our Corinth Baptist Church friends. We’ll eat across the street in the exhibit building on the Effingham County fairgrounds. Paper goods and utensils will be provided. Those who worship at Zion can make it to join us for the meal after worship. If you have questions about this event, contact Dana Lee Smith (912-665- 1377) Sunday School Convention Delegate.

Sunday, May 7th at 10:00 a.m., everyone is invited to join with other Effingham Churches to participate in the 138th Annual Sunday School Convention at the Methodist Campground in Springfield. Line up is at 9:45 a.m. Zion has a long history of participation in the Sunday School convention, but will also observe our regular Sunday morning schedule of Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11:00 a.m. for those not attending the convention. If you go, please take a covered dish to share for the meal following worship. Those who worship at Zion can make it to the campground in time to be there for the meal. If you have questions about this event, contact Emma Lee Dasher.

Dr. Byron Boyd will focus on the political world of Luther’s time, examining the factors outside the church that led to the eruption of the Reformation. The church at that time was heavily tied to government and politics. Dr. Boyd has taught at Savannah Country Day since 1982 and Armstrong since 1984.

On the 5th Sunday evening in Lent, April 2nd at 5:30 p.m., there is a Lenten program in the Fellowship Hall followed by a light potluck meal. Please make plans to join us in this spiritual and penitential journey. During the final week of Lent we will celebrate Holy Week. Please join us as we honor the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us so that we may have eternal life.

Lent 2017 begins on Wednesday, March 1st with our traditional Ash Wednesday Service. Our chancel will once again return to purple paraments and wooden cross as we enter the 40 day Lenten season. Our service will be at 7:00 p.m. on March 1st with communion and the imposition of ashes. On 5 Sunday evenings, beginning on March 5th at 5:30 p.m., there will be a Lenten program in the Fellowship Hall followed by a light potluck meal. Please make plans to join us in this spiritual and penitential journey.

Lent 2017 begins on Wednesday, March 1st with our traditional Ash Wednesday Service. Our chancel will once again return to purple paraments and wooden cross as we enter the 40 day Lenten season. Our service will be at 7:00 p.m. on March 1st with communion and the imposition of ashes. On 5 Sunday evenings, beginning on March 5th at 5:30 p.m., there will be a Lenten program in the Fellowship Hall followed by a light potluck meal. Please make plans to join us in this spiritual and penitential journey.